chris
Sore Fingers
Posts: 4
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Post by chris on Mar 14, 2017 14:08:09 GMT
I've been looking around for a 'great' small bodied guitar for a while now. Anybody played anything truly outstanding?
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Post by vikingblues on Mar 14, 2017 14:27:05 GMT
The easiest guitar to play that's ever been in my hands was a parlour. A Brook Clyst. European Spruce and Maple back and sides - a combination I'd not tried before and one that in this case worked very well indeed. I was expecting it would be a bit harsh with Spruce and Maple but it was not.
The best Parlour size guitar I have owned (and still do) is a Tanglewood TW73, about one fifth of the price of the Brook but not a long way distant on quality. But it's discontinued in its non electro version, and I have in the past played one of them in a shop and it sounded and felt nowhere near as good as mine. I think I struck lucky and got one of the few very responsive ones at the good end of that exponential curve of quality you get with batch manufactured guitars.
So that's sort of bottom and top end of the market money-wise - I haven't tried any Parlours in the range between those prices that have grabbed my attention as being better than the TW73.
Mark
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 14, 2017 14:40:09 GMT
Haven't played too many small/parlour size guitars, and I generally find the size does mean the sound/tone quality suffers a bit (my own personal opinion - no offence!! ) That said, there are a few guitars that defy that particular logic, being small and sounding fantastic. From personal experience, I love the Fylde Ariel and davewhite 's FéileacánAnother impressove parlour size instrument is the Faith Mercury
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 14, 2017 14:50:46 GMT
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Post by Amit on Mar 14, 2017 14:54:52 GMT
I mostly play with small bodied guitars, and own a Collings C10, a Waterloo and a Martin 00-17. All fabulous examples of small bodied guitars that punch above their weight. I've played a Blueridge BR341 that was pretty nice too, and a Fylde Goodfellow years back that was pretty impressive.
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Post by scorpiodog on Mar 14, 2017 14:58:44 GMT
The Brook Lyn is a 00 rather than a parlour, but I promise you they are wonderful. Strictly parlour, I cannot remember the make or model ( ocarolan might be able to help here) but a former member of this forum (fliss) had one that was utterly fabulous. Oh, Blimey, how can I have forgotten to mention francis! Thanks for the reminder, Keith.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 14, 2017 15:27:59 GMT
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Post by scorpiodog on Mar 14, 2017 15:40:54 GMT
Yes, it was very like that, although I recall the one Fliss had was much paler. If I could have snuck that one away it would be mine now! Fliss was too observant, though!
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Post by lavaman on Mar 14, 2017 16:30:50 GMT
The easiest guitar to play that's ever been in my hands was a parlour. A Brook Clyst. European Spruce and Maple back and sides - a combination I'd not tried before and one that in this case worked very well indeed. I was expecting it would be a bit harsh with Spruce and Maple but it was not. Mark I like the Brook Clyst, its based on a Martin O series. I've played a spruce / maple Clyst at Brook and was impressed. My Clyst has a cedar top and mahogany back and sides and sounds sweet. I ordered that spec'n after playing Dave Wood's guitar. Following ocarolan's example, I've strung it with Newtone Heritage low tension strings and tune it up a minor third.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2017 16:56:18 GMT
Do you know what, I was going to say a Brook Clyst as well, but everyone else has said it. I think Intersound in Dursely have one. The Brook Weaver is smaller and equally as brilliant.
Robbie
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,495
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Mar 14, 2017 17:03:41 GMT
Yup. Heather is the owner of Lily - and, while I find it a little on the small side for me and my fat fingers, it is absolutely perfect for her and her Trump-sized digits. She plays it all the time but will she join this forum? No, she will not...
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francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,385
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Mar 14, 2017 17:13:32 GMT
...Oh, Blimey, how can I have forgotten to mention francis ! It's OK Paul scorpiodog I'll just put the price up on the next one I sell you
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Post by nkforster on Mar 14, 2017 17:18:16 GMT
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Post by andyhowell on Mar 14, 2017 18:57:04 GMT
I think a 00 rather than 0 works best as a steel string. Have played a few wonderful old Martins but probably the very best - the Santa Cruz Eric Skye model.
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Post by geddarby on Mar 16, 2017 22:17:51 GMT
If my house was on fire my 1972 Martin 0021 would be the first thing I would rescue. Having said that another forum member has a 1930s Gibson L00 which is fantastic to play and is a thing of great beauty.
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